Electronic Arts has reversed course in their decision to include the Taliban as playable in Medal of Honor's multipayer. In spite of past statements that the company wouldn't bow to pressure to remove the content, EA cites " feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers."
Instead of "The Taliban," the multipayer team will be refered to as the much less ominous "Opposing Forces." Gameplay will remain the same.
In a blog post, the game's executive producer Greg Goodrich posted the following:
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We’ve received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative.
However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice that has earned the right to be listened to. It is a voice that we care deeply about. Because of this, and because the heartbeat of Medal of Honor has always resided in the reverence for American and Allied soldiers, we have decided to rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force.
While this change should not directly affect gamers, as it does not fundamentally alter the gameplay, we are making this change for the men and women serving in the military and for the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice - this franchise will never willfully disrespect, intentionally or otherwise, your memory and service.
To all who serve - we appreciate you, we thank you, and we do not take you for granted. And to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently serving overseas, stay safe and come home soon. Greg Goodrich Executive Producer Medal of Honor.
Just for contrast sake, check out this statement from EA president Frank Gibeau, from back in August:
“There’s a lot of furor around games that take creative risks – like games that let you play terrorists in airports mowing down civilians... At EA we passionately believe games are an artform, and I don’t know why films and books set in Afghanistan don’t get flack, yet [games] do. Whether it’s Red Badge Of Courage or The Hurt Locker, the media of its time can be a platform for the people who wish to tell their stories. Games are becoming that platform."
This is what we call a flip-flop... but one that, to me, makes perfect sense. What do you guys think?
Comments are Closed
Comments
Displaying 81–100 of 186
4123456789106
PinkCrayon32
LOL don't show too much backbone EA.
San_Pato
I remember watching the news years ago and some lady was on saying how bad GTA3 is, and it should be banned for the content. I rushed out and bought it that night after I watched that. Now, when I heard the "taliban" were gonna be in this game, I just thought, "well, someone was bound to do it eventually." I have no plans to buy this launch night, I'll wait until I start reading some reviews and such as I do with pretty much any game I buy. I have a hunch that most of you are of the same opinion.
EA knows that it doesn't matter what they call they bad guys, the majority of us are gonna buy if it's good and avoid if the reviews are bad. When I read comments from people saying they aren't going to buy it now, because the other team in multi player has a generic name, I don't believe it. The fact you are registered on this site means, like me, you are more than just a casual gamer and if the game is getting awesome reviews, you're gonna buy it.
Now, those that are truly offended by the "taliban" being in the game. They will boycott it and money will be lost. EA is not some small time, start up indie company. They are a huge business and in business money comes first. They decided they lose more money to the boycotts than to short temper forum people. That is all it is. If you wanna kill Americans as the taliban that badly, get a career in video games and make it happen. No one is stopping you. Or better, contact the news channels and explain to them why our culture and America's youth is being ruined because EA decided not to let you play a video game as a "taliban" fighter.
jaydm
The beta was horrible, the only chance to sell the game was the buzz from the controversy anyway. We can not be sensative to everyones feelings in the world,someone will always cry over whatever anyway. With all the good games coming out who wants to play a reboot from a dead series anyway.I havent bought a game from EA in years anyway. Keep your money for a game with integrity.
that1nerfherder
Huh... So we're NOT going to be playing as the Taliban after all? Just the ol' generic "Opposing Force" thing? Okay, I mean - its not like you caved in from all the pressure that the public was giving you or anything, so thats all that matters, right? Didn't inhibit your "artistic freedom" right? Okay, thats cool - keep at it and lets see a good game in a couple more weeks, yeah?
P.S. I was being sarcastic you asses. Good luck with your new release, though!
tturner1
The quality of the game will not be changed in any way. Yes, it is ridiculous that movies and novels are allowed to express certain phrases and use certain terminology that is not allowed in gaming but weather it is in movies or games some people take offense to those terms. The way i see it EA is just being respectful, in a way Hollywood is not, two wrongs don't make a right.
Nathicana
I'm x active duty army (5 years) and spent time in the reserve(2 years). And it makes me mad as hell that they censor this.
Canid117
Yay for not sticking to your sense of integrity!
REmaster0514
this is complete and utter BS
Cell34
In an additional press conference released later in the day, Medal of Honor also stated that they would be releasing a patch for all their earlier games. This was done so that nazis would no longer be called or referred to as nazis which might offend some German citizens or World War 2 veterans.
Instead, the nazi party in earlier Medal of Honor games will be referred to as "The really bad baddies" with an ice cream cone topped with a frowny face replacing the infamous swastika.
NINJA CHAD
skatr0220
I was happy to see that EA was taking a risk while they almost always play it safe. But I'm even happier that they did change the name. Why? Well, respect in this world is something people don't really think about. It's something we either give or receive unconsciously in most cases.
I'm happy that EA had enough respect for what the military forces of the United States were and are doing to protect this land from all threats so EA can keep the games flowing.
So thank you Greg Goodrich Executive Producer Medal of Honor, for the name change. It may make a lot of people mad, but right now, It just isn't something that people aren't ready for.
AngelsandDemons
I get it and anyone who doesn't most likely doesn't understand the meaning of losing someone or dying for the stars and stripes of for the orders of country on principle alone. All soldiers, the only opinion that truly matters, aren't going to agree. As a result, as much as I respect creative risk taking, games aren't quite on the same acceptable level as film just yet and that argument is weak....however, they should go with "Afghan Rebels" or "Insurgents," not the corny "Opposing Force."
back2schoolboo
I never had a problem with the Taliban being in the game. EA, however, made the right decision to remove them from the game for publicity and reputation reasons concerning the game.
jungleman67
I'll get it used now
Quantum6
What happens if the Taliban officially changes their name to "Opposing Force"? Would that change Americas outlook on terrorists? Its not the moniker that's the problem it's the ideology for which it represents. Outside of the upset families there is the threat of advertisers threatening to pull ads not wanting to be associated with terrorism. Loss of ad revenues+decrease in sales due to boycotts=Economical Censorship.
thinkblue124
Lame! opposing force sounds weak! at least Insurgents
prodigysflawless
This is bull$4*t seriously. I was hoping EA wouldn't fold under pressure. Infinity Ward had the balls to keep "No Russian" in their game. I find it ironic how people use their freedom of speech to bitch about game companies using their freedom of speech to include the word Taliban in their game.
GamebustaZX
I am a fighter pilot and I really dont care the Taliban shot down my Wingman who was my brother and killed him I dont understand why they took out the taliban if they want to make a real War fighter Sim it would be better to keep them in. There the enemy and I dont know what type of soldiers they talked to that said they should not have them being shot in a game when they where constantly trying to kill us. Everyone I know would not have had a problem with it
Bigburito
I don't see what everyone is worked up about here, so they changed the name to Opposing Force, who cares? it's only for the multi-player and the "opposing Force" is still going to look the same. I'd say this is a good move, they still get to tell the story they want and nobody can complain (and once again it's just for the multi-player, the single-player still has them called Taliban so literally the only time you will even notice the difference is when it says your team name at the start of a match which I usually don't even listen to anyways...)
MikeJamesSays
"I don t know why films and books set in Afghanistan don t get flack, yet [games] do. Whether it s Red Badge Of Courage or The Hurt Locker, the media of its time can be a platform for the people who wish to tell their stories. Games are becoming that platform."
If games are becoming that platform, why did EA change their mind? Do big movie-making companies change the term "Taliban" or "Al-Qaeda" in movies to "Opposing Forces" because they receive e-mails saying they should?
The only difference people like to hang on to is the fact that we actually play the game as opposed to just watching a movie.
To be honest, a movie has much more bite when it comes to swaying someone's opinion on a controversial topic as opposed to a video game. Movies are created and played out to the detail on what the directors and producers want. The difference in gaming is i have a margin of choice. I choose the actions of the character I'm in charge of. My mind is already made up, the video game is not affecting my opinion in the slightest.
For EA to change the term "Taliban" to "Opposing Forces" seems like a slap in the face to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Instead of younger generations only allowed to know "good guys vs. bad guys", I think it's important to know who took the lives of those brave men and women instead of trying to cover it up and make the world all sunshine and rainbows.
Truth is respect.
MikeJamesSays
"I don t know why films and books set in Afghanistan don t get flack, yet [games] do. Whether it s Red Badge Of Courage or The Hurt Locker, the media of its time can be a platform for the people who wish to tell their stories. Games are becoming that platform."
If games are becoming that platform, why did EA change their mind? Do big movie-making companies change the term "Taliban" or "Al-Qaeda" in movies to "Opposing Forces" because they receive e-mails saying they should?
The only difference people like to hang on to is the fact that we actually play the game as opposed to just watching a movie.
To be honest, a movie has much more bite when it comes to swaying someone's opinion on a controversial topic as opposed to a video game. Movies are created and played out to the detail on what the directors and producers want. The difference in gaming is i have a margin of choice. I choose the actions of the character I'm in charge of. My mind is already made up, the video game is not affecting my opinion in the slightest.
For EA to change the term "Taliban" to "Opposing Forces" seems like a slap in the face to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Instead of younger generations only allowed to know "good guys vs. bad guys", I think it's important to know who took the lives of those brave men and women instead of trying to cover it up and make the world all sunshine and rainbows.
Truth is respect.
Displaying 81–100 of 186
4123456789106